Description: (Brazilian Air Force Pilot and Astronaut Who Became the First South American to Go Into Space)
Marcos Cesar Pontes is a versatile professional with experience in the Brazilian Air Force as a pilot and engineer. He became the first South American and Lusophone astronaut to journey to space by docking onto the International Space Station in 2006. Pontes underwent training with NASA's astronaut program and later served as Brazil's Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation. In 2022, he was elected as a federal senator for São Paulo, demonstrating his commitment to space exploration and public service.